STOCKS NEWS EUROPE-ASOS falls as Goldman, Exane cut to neutral

Shares in British online fashion retailer ASOS (Other OTC: ASOMF - news) fall 3.3 percent to 6,506 pence and the bottom of the FTSE AIM index of junior-listed stocks, with traders citing recommendation downgrades at Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS-PB - news) and Exane BNP Paribas (Milan: BNP.MI - news) .

Goldman moves to 'neutral' from 'buy', while Exane moves to 'neutral' from 'outperform'.

"We have been, and remain, long-term enthusiasts for the investment case and opportunity. However, we believe the near-term risk/reward profile looks more balanced," Exane's analyst write in a note, maintaining a 7,500 pence target price.

Goldman cuts its price target to 7,300 pence from 7,400 pence.

Prior to Thursday shares in ASOS had risen 170 percent over the last year.

Sentiment was also hit by Zalando, Europe's biggest online fashion retailer, seeing a sharp slowdown of unique visitors to its website in December, according to data published on Wednesday.

Last week ASOS reported a 38 percent rise in retail sales for the four months to Dec. 31, though growth did slow in the United States and Australia, two key markets.

Reuters messaging rm://james.davey.reuters.com@reuters.net